1.1   Organization and Content

This 'manual is designed to help building owners, architects, engineers, designers; energy consultants, builders, enforcement agencies, contractors and installers, and manufacturers comply with and enforce the California Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Energy Standards) for nonresidential buildings. The manual is written as both a reference and an instructional guide and can be helpful for anyone that is involved in the design and construction of energy efficient nonresidential buildings.

Thirteen chapters make up the manual:

Chapter 1 chapter introduces the Energy Standards and discusses the application and scope.

Chapter 2 reviews the compliance and enforcement process, including design and the preparation of compliance documentation through acceptance testing.

Chapter 3 addresses the requirements for the building envelope.

Chapter 4 covers the requirements for HVAC systems and water heating systems.

Chapter 5 addresses the requirements for indoor lighting.

Chapter 6 addresses the requirements for outdoor lighting.

Chapter 7 addresses the requirements for sign lighting (for both indoor and outdoor applications).

Chapter 8 addresses the requirements for electrical power distribution.

Chapter 9 covers the solar ready requirements.

Chapter 10 addresses covered processes energy requirements.

Chapter 11 covers the performance approach.

Chapter 12 covers the commissioning requirements.

Chapter 13 covers the acceptance test requirements.

Cross-references within the manual use the word “Section” while references to sections in the Energy Standards are represented by “§.”

The first chapter is organized as follows:

1.1               Organization and Content

1.2               Related Documents

1.3               The Technical Chapters

1.4               Why California Needs Energy Standards

1.5               What’s New for 2016?

1.6               Mandatory Measures and Compliance Approaches

1.7               Scope and Application                    

1.8               About the Energy Standards